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Understanding Eating Disorders: Biomedical Insights into Genetic and Neurochemical Factors

Eating disorders (EDs) are complex conditions influenced by genetic and neurochemical factors. Evidence suggests that EDs have a hereditary component, as they tend to run in families, with a higher risk among relatives. Neurochemical abnormalities in brain systems related to appetite and eating may also contribute to these disorders. Although some structural damage in appetite-related brain areas is not well supported, chemical imbalances can play a significant role. The interaction of genetic predispositions and environmental influences complicates the understanding of EDs, highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment approaches that may include pharmacological interventions.

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Understanding Eating Disorders: Biomedical Insights into Genetic and Neurochemical Factors

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  1. Eating Disorders • Biomedical explanation • Inherited behavioural traits • Neurochemical abnormalities in brain systems associated with appetite & eating • Structural damage to brain areas associated with eating psychlotron.org.uk

  2. Biomedical Hypotheses • Genetics • EDs should run in families • Degree of relatedness to ED patient should influence risk of developing EDs in others • Neurochemistry • Should be detectable abnormalities in neurotransmitters/hormones • EDs should respond to drug treatment psychlotron.org.uk

  3. Genetics • EDs tend to run in families • Kaye (1999) - 10% of ED patients have a relative who is also an ED patient • Depression, anxiety, OCD more prevalent in families of ED patients • Difficult to separate effects of genes from effects of shared environment psychlotron.org.uk

  4. Genetics • Holland et al (1984); concordance rates for anorexia: • 55% MZ twins • 7% DZ twins • Reduces confounding effect of shared environment • Suggests genetic contribution but not cause • Small sample; finding not always replicated (e.g. Wade et al, 1998) psychlotron.org.uk

  5. Brain & Neurochemistry • No evidence for structural damage to appetite-related hypothamalic regions • Some evidence for chemical abnormalities • Amenorrhoea may precede onset of ED symptoms • BN may respond to drug treatment (serotoninergic antidepressants) • Difficulty telling cause from effect psychlotron.org.uk

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